EU Digital Chief Says Priority Is Pushing Bloc's Tech Changes

Regulators Also Study Tax Strategies of Some Internet Companies

Europe's technology chief discusses taxation of Internet companies and her plans to make the 28-nation bloc more attractive to startups.

By

Frances Robinson

Jan. 16, 2014 12:18 pm ET

BRUSSELS—Europe's digital chief said regulators are studying controversial tax practices that critics allege reduce the tax bill for giant U.S. technology companies, but she added that her priority is to push the restructuring of the Continent's tech and telecom sectors to make them more competitive.

"I'm aware that in the tax strategies of some companies they want to pay zero tax, or anyhow a very low level of tax," said Neelie Kroes, the European Union commissioner for the bloc's digital agenda, during an interview...